By Jack Cook
A GROUP of rugby fans have begun a campaign to improve the atmosphere at the Principality Stadium.
While the Cardiff arena is often described as the best in the world, some spectators want more from the match experience which doesn’t come cheap.
Wales romped to a 42-0 win against Italy in their Six Nations opener at home earlier this month, but some fans thought the atmosphere was flat, and BBC analyst Jonathan Davies even mentioned as much on air.
Now the East Terrace Society has been set up, its goal to encourage the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to improve the atmosphere inside the Principality Stadium, which they believe is not what it once was.
The Society is calling on the WRU to establish a singing section inside the ground similar to the Canton Stand in the Cardiff City Stadium.
We are the East Terrace Society.
Our mission is to improve the atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium by encouraging the WRU to take the following initial measure:
Establish a singing-section in the Millennium Stadium. [1/6]
— The East Terrace Society (@EastTerraceSoc) December 2, 2019
The Society also believes tickets prices for Wales game are extortionate, pricing some supporters – and many youngsters – out of going.
They are proposing the WRU make tickets available to cover whole campaigns like the Six Nations or the autumn block of games, which will enable fans to sit in the same seats.
They’ve also set up a petition to encourage other fans to join their attempt to grab the attention of the WRU.
A spokesman for the Society said: “The initial drive behind the movement was personal discontent with the atmosphere (at Wales games).
“I’ve been attending Wales matches regularly for years and there’s been a noticeable decline. I first started to really notice it around 2017. It makes me sad to see what it’s become.”
And the resurgence of the Wales football team and increasing profile of its passionate ‘Red Wall’ following, has also been an influence.
The spokesman added: “What inspired me to try and make a change was the Welsh football internationals, which I’ve also been attending for several years.
“The atmosphere at those matches has been exceeding the rugby for a number of years now and it got me wondering what they’re doing right to achieve this.
“I think many people agree with me that there needs to be a change, but many are also skeptical about it being possible.
“The petition and movement has gathered a bit of momentum since the Italy game, when even Jonathan Davies pointed out how quiet it was on commentary.”
The East Terrace Society has yet to make formal contact with the WRU, but plans to do so soon.
“We haven’t actually approached the WRU in any capacity because we don’t have enough support yet,” said the spokesman.
“We’d like to wait until the petition has 1,000+ signatures and the East Terrace Society has a larger membership base because before that I just don’t think the WRU will take it seriously.”
Expo Sport has contacted the WRU for comment but has not yet received a response.
